Public libraries
Research and statistics about public libraries including statistics, standards, funding.
Statistics & Standards
- Public Library Statistics Cooperative (PLSC) - Public Library Standards by State (rev 9.2009)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Statistics about Public Libraries
- Service Trends in U.S. Public Libraries, 1997-2007 (IMLS Research Brief No. 1, December 2009)
- Public Library Data Service Statistical Report
- State Public Library Statistics (hosted by the Colorado State Library)
Historical Trends
- Public Libraries in the United States: Statistical Trends, 1990-2001
- Bookmobiles in the U.S., 1950-2001
- Services to Children in U.S. Public Libraries: Statistical Trends, 1993-2008
- The Condition of U.S. Libraries: Public Library Trends, 2002 - 2009
Public Library Funding Survey
More on Library Funding
- What is federal funding and why does it matter so much to libraries? From ALA's Washington Office.
Household Surveys
- 2011 Harris Poll Quorum Household Survey (pdf)
- 2010 Harris Poll Quorum Household Survey (pdf)
- 2009 KRC Research Household Survey (pdf)
- 2008 Harris Poll (pdf)
- 2007 Harris Interactive Household Survey (pdf)
- Purchasing Materials After Using a Public Library (pdf) - Results of three household surveys conducted during June 2007 to understand purchase-after-use patterns of youth (8-18 years) and adult (18 years and older) public library users.
- 2006 @ your library® Household Survey (pdf)
- 2006 @ your library® Survey-Detailed Study Slides (pdf)
- 2002 KRC @ your library® Household Survey (pdf)
Library Use Studies
- Youth Use of Public and School Libraries (Harris Interactive, 2007) (pdf)
- Public Library Use (ALA Library Fact Sheet 6)
Summary information from both recent studies that document public library use by patrons as well as reports the opinions that patrons have about public libraries. - Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries: 2007 Analysis of Library Demographics, Services and Programs
- Libraries and Library Use
Statistical analyses prepared by Douglas A. Galbi, Senior Economist at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Economic Hard Times and Public Library Use Revisited
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